Indian Navy commissions first MH60R Seahawk chopper squadron

KOCHI: The Indian Navy has commissioned the country's first MH60R Seahawk multirole helicopter squadron during a ceremony at INS Garuda in Kochi on Wednesday.

The squadron has been commissioned as Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 334 Seahawks. Six MH 60R helicopters with the Navy, which are part of a 24-aircraft contract signed with the US govt in Feb 2020, will be part of the Navy's latest air squadron. At the ceremony, the choppers were accorded a water cannon salute welcome.



"Today is a momentous occasion as we induct the formidable MH 60R helicopters into the Indian Navy," said Admiral R Harikumar, the Chief of Naval Staff at the ceremony.

He said the Indian Ocean region has non-traditional threats such as piracy and smuggling other than complex challenges like territorial issues and geopolitical tensions.

"With cutting-edge sensors and multi-mission capabilities, the MH 60R will augment our maritime surveillance as well as our anti-submarine warfare capabilities," said Harikumar.


Apart from being one of the most potent anti-submarine helicopters in the world with abilities for surveillance, the choppers can also be used for search-and-rescue operations and medical evacuations.

The aircraft's crew is led by captain M Abhisheik Ram, who will be the Seahawks' first commanding officer.

Navy officials said a letter of acceptance to procure 24 MH 60R helicopters was signed with the US govt in Feb 2020. Training for the Indian crew was held at Naval Air Station, North Island in USA.

The inducted helicopters were manufactured by Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky, based on the US' UH 60 Black Hawks.

Select The Times of India as your preferred source on Google Search